Resilient car wheel



3 Sheets-Sheet'l R. J. WITTM ER July 21, 1936.

RESILIENT CAR WHEEL Filed July 51, 1953 m my QNQ \wk Patented July 21,1936 H NlT'ED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,048,240 RESILIENT CAR WHEEL RussellJ. Wittmer, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignor to National Malleable andSteel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio; a corporation of Ohio 1 4Application July 31, 1933, Serial No. 682,936 1401mm. (c1.295 '11) IThis invention relates to wheels for street cars or other railwayvehicles. The invention more particularly provides a novel wheelcomprising a rim relatively movable with respect to a hub and resilientmeans between the rimand hub for effectively cushioning the movementstherebetween. An ObjECllOf the-invention is'the provision of a novelconstruction whereby there is produced a resilient wheel of markedefl'iciency while atjthe 1 same time obtaining the advantages ofsimplicity of construction and economy of manufacture :and

assembly. The invention comprisesin' this c'on-, nection provisions forcushioning movements between the rim and hub through the interpositionof rubber means in a particularly efficient man- .ner an'd'without thenecessity-of vulcanizing the rubber or providing special clamping meansthere- 'ior. A further feature 'of the invention resides in novelprovisions, for protecting. the rubber against the. heat developed bythe brakes. Other features and advantages will be more particularlypointed out in the ensuing description and setforth in the claimsappended hereto.

' In the accompanying drawings:

. 2 5' Fig. lis a view inside elevation of a wheel embodying myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on line22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view .on. line 3 3l 30 of- Fig. 2,.withparts broken away. I

, Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on line 44 of Fig. 2, with partsbroken away.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the rubber inserts.

V 35 Referring to the drawings, the wheel of my invention'comprisesv ametal rim. 2having the usual wheel contour. A metallic hub member isshown at 3 having a radially extending-flange 4 parallelfto the radiallyextending web or flange 4o 5 of the rim 2. The latteris provided with acircumferential-shouldered portion 6 for the -re-- c'eption of amet'al'disk I. Bolts 8 extend thru said disk I, flange 4, and web 5, aswell as thru a vertical flange 9 of a brake drum. l0 andserve 45 tomaintain the parts in assembled relation.

Projecting from the web 5 toward the flange. 4 are studs ll; whilesimilar studs l2 extendfrom, disk 1 toward saidfiange. .The latter isprovided on opposite sides with studs l3. vAs shown the v 50' studs l3on the face of the flange 4 adjacent the web 5 extend into overlappingrelation to the studs l l i. e., a single vertical plane perpendicu--lar to the axis of the hub maybe passed thru said studs H and I3.Likewise the studs 13 on 55the opposite side of fiange 4 project asufilcient distance toward dis k to bring said studs into overlappingrelation to the studs l2 on said disk.

In Fig; 3 the studs I3 (appearing in front elenatingin eachcircumferential series, could be arranged in separate series; 1. e., theseries closest to hub 3 could consist entirely of studs l3, the nextcircumferential series could be composed entirely of-studs' f I, and soon. Furthermore, 15

the studs instead of being arranged in radial lines as shown, could bestaggered so that one ormore would not be in radial alignment withadjacent studs. The arrangement of studsl2 with respect to the studs I3on the face of flange 20 I 4 adjacent to disk 1 may be similar to thatabove 'described'between studs .ll and the studs 13 nearest web 5. InFig. 4 the studs l3 extending toward disk I are shown in" section andthe studs l2 in front elevation.

- .Between the web 5' and fiange 4 there is positioned a rubber disk orsheet l4 having holes l5" (Fig. '5) for receiving the respective studsII and I3. A- similar rubber disk I4 is positioned Y between'flang'e '4and disk I. The holes in said rubber 'disk are no larger in diameterthan the studs which they receive, whereby a snug fit isobtained. It isto be noted that the bolts 8 e are also snugly'engaged in openings inthe rubber disks I4 and thus cooperate with said disks in the samemanner asthe studs II and I2. The

. openings 16 in the flange 4, however, thru which 7 said bolts extend,are larger than the bolts, thus providing for relative movement betweenthe hub and rim. Clearance is provided, as-indicated at 40 ll,between-each stud and the member opposite.

'- The purpose of this clearance is two-fold, the first being to permitrelative movement between the hub andrim, as will be noted furtherhereinafter, and the second .to prevent'abrasion of the rubber where itcontacts with the inner surfaces of disc I and web 5 and the oppositesides of flange-4. If the studs ll, 12 and I3 extended to the abovesurfaces the adjacentrubbe'r would be moved by the studs and the outerand inner surfaces of the rubber caused to slip along the surfacesofith'e adjacent metallic members, thus causing abrasion.- By maldng thestuds shorter than the thickness of the rubber sheet the end 01a studwill press into the rubber on relative movement of the parts withoutdisturbing the contact between the rubber and the adjacent metalsurfaces. A radius or chamfer may be pro-' vided on the ends of thestuds to further increase the effect of the clearance.

It will be observed that the construction here disclosed enablesrelative movement to take place between the wheel rim and hub in anydirection. Thus, the hub can move in a plane at right angles to its axisuntil the clearance indicated at 3 is taken up; while said hub can moveparallel to its axis in either direction until clearances II! are takenup. Referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that, assuming upward movementof the hub 3 with respect to the rim 2, the rubber between the studsdesignated H and I3 will be in compression and that surrounding the pairof studs I3 and H" under tension. In other words, in movement betweensaid hub and rim in a given direction, certain portions of the rubberwill be in compression and simultaneously other portions will be undertension. The same is true of downward movement of the hub with respectto the rim, as. Y well as of torsional movements therebetween.

The aforesaid action of the rubber is obtained without anyvulcanizing'of the rubber to the adj acent metal surfaces, and withoutany clamping of pression thereof is obtained upon tightening.

bolts 8 to a. desired extent. Moreover, very little additional machiningof parts is required over that necessary for the ordinary type of rigid?wheel.

The brake drum l0 enables the braking action to occur at a distance fromthe rim 2 and. materially decreases the heat transmitted to the rubber.While the drum might be cast integral with the disk 'I, it is preferredthat it be constructed as a separate part. Said drum, as shown,

includes an upper flange cut away at portions i9 (Fig. 4), providing a-series of circumfere'ntially spaced lugs 2|] engageable with the diskI. Also said drum has a lower circumferential series of lugs 2|separated by spaces 22 and engageahle with said disk. Thru the upperandlower series of lugs 20, 2 I, aforesaid, the main body portion ofsaid drum I0 is-spaced from the disk I and a circumferential air chamber23 is provided therebetween, and in addition the spacing of the lugs ineach series provides further for engagement of the drum with the disk Iat spaced points. Substantial diminution of heat transfer is thusfurther effected. Moreover, during rotation of the wheel aircirculates'through the openings 22 and 19 and cavity 23, thereby coolingthe wheel and drum and this is facilitated by the flanges 24, which, inaddition to reinforcing the drum, provide additional air circulation bytheir fan action while the wheel is rotating. Additional restriction inthe transfer of heat from parts of the wheel that become heated duringoperation may be had by placing asbestos or similar material adjacentthe rubber sheets and between contacting surfaces of the metal.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the studs in the series nearest the axis ofthe hub 3 may be of less cross sectional area than those at greaterdistances from said axis; the cross sectional area of the studs of therespective series being shown as increasing with the distance of thestuds fro-m sponse to movement of one said axis. The holes in the rubberdisks are correspondingly of areas increasing with the radial distancefrom the axis of the disk, as shown in Fig. 5. The characteristics ofthe wheel can be modified by punching holes at points intermediatetheholes IS in the rubber'disks. This also would permit a certain amountof flow of rubber as the bolts are tightened up in case the surfaces ofthe castings are such as to have irregular projections which would pressthe rubber inwardly during tightening of the bolts.

It will be seen that the structure above described can be readilydisassembled without removal of the hub member from the journal. When itis desired to change the rim, the nuts'of the bolts 8 maybe removed andthe rim slipped off without disturbing any of the other parts.

While obviously the web or flange 5 ofthe rim member 2 need not be castintegral therewith but may instead, if desired, be made separatetherefrom and secured thereto (for example, in a manner similar to disk'I), it suflicesior an understanding of my inventionthat it beillustrated as integral'with said rim and it has accordingly been soshown. i

The. terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation and there' is no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described, or portionsthereof, but it is recognizedthat various modifications are possible within the scopeof the inventionclaimed.

I claim; v l. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub hav-,

ing aflange projecting therefrom, a rim having a v radial web spacedfrom said flange, projections jections extending from said'web towardsaid flange and in overlapping relation to the projections of saidflange, and rubber means between said flange and said web and extendingaround a projection on said web and thence to and around a projection onsaid flange with consequent tensioningvofportions of said rubber meansin reof said projections away from the other. I

. extending from said flange toward said web, proe I 2. A resilient carwheel comprising a hub having a flange projecting radially therefrom, arim having a radial web spaced from said flange, a disk of rubberbetween said flange and said web and having openings therein,projections from said jections from said flange fitting into others ofsaid openings, the projections from said web and flange respectivelyextending axially of the wheel into overlapping relation to each other.

.3. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub having a flange projectingradially therefrom, a rim having a radial web spaced from said flange,projections extending from saidweb toward said flange, projectionsextending from said flange toward said web, said projections being soarranged that a plane transverse to the axis of the hub and passingthrough said projections on said flange also passes through saidprojections on said web, and a rubber element having openings into whichthe respective projections of said web and flange extend, and adapted tobe placed concurrently under compression and tension in differentportions thereof in response to relative movement between said flangeand web.

' 4. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extendingradially therefrom, a rim having a radial web spaced from said flange, a

' rubber element between said flange and said web,v

and means comprising projections on said web and flange extendingintoaxially overiapping'relation and fitting into holes in said element forholding the latter in position and placing different portions of saidelement concurrently under compression and tension respectively duringrelative radial movement between said web and said flange.

5. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extendingradially therefrom, a rim having a radial web spaced from said flange,rubber means between said flange and said web, and means comprisingaxially overlapping projections for concurrently placing certain partsof said rubber means under compression and other parts under tensionduring radial movement of said rim in a given direction with respect tosaid hub.

6. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub, a rim, rubber means betweensaid rim and said hub, and means comprising axially overlappingprojections for concurrently placing certain parts of said rubber meansunder compression and other parts under tension, during movement of saidrim in a given direction radially of said hub.

7. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub member, a rim member, anelement extending radially from one of said members, other elementsextending radially from the other of said members on opposite sides ofthe first mentioned element, rubber means interposed between said flrstmentioned element and said other elements, projections extending fromopposite sides of the first mentioned placed under compression duringrelative move-.

element into said rubber means, projections from said other elementsextending into portions of said rubber means, said projections and saidrubber means being so constructed and arranged that portions of saidrubber means are placed under tension and other portions areconcurrently ment in a given direction between said hub and rim members,and bolts extending through all of said elements and said rubber means,with provisions enabling one of said members to move with respect tosaid bolts.

8. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub. member, a rim member, rubbermeans between said rim and said hub, an element extending radially fromone of said members, other elements extending radially from the other ofsaid members on opposite sides of the first mentioned element,projections from the first mentioned element extending into said rubbermeans, and projections from said other elements extending axially intooverlapping relation to the first mentioned projections and alsoextending into portions of said rubber means between the flrst mentionedprojections.

v 9; A resilient car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extendingradially therefrom, a rim having a web, a plurality of series of studsextending around said flange at different radial distances from the axisof said hub, a plurality of series of studs extending around said web atdifferent radial distances from the axis of said hub, and rubber meansbetween said web and said flange and receiving said studs, saidprojections being so arranged that a plane transverse to the axis of thehub and passing through said projections on the flange also passesthrough said projections on said web.

' 10. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extendingradially therefrom, a rim having a web, a circular series of studs onsaid flange, a circular series of studs on said web, said studs on saidweb being interposed between said studs on said flange and overlappingthe same, and rubber means between said web and said flange andreceiving said studs.

11. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extendingradially therefrom, a rim having a web, a plurality of series of studson said web and flange,.the cross sectional areas of the studsincreasing with increase of radial distance from the axis of said hub,and rubber means between said flange and said web and having holesreceiving said studs, the studs on said web overlapping the studs onsaid flange with consequent tensioning of portions of said rubber meansin response to relative movement between said hub and rim. l

12. A resilient car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extendingradially therefrom, a rim having a web, a plurality of circular seriesof studs on said flange, a plurality of circular series of studs on saidweb, the studs of each of said series on said web being interspersedamong the studs of a corresponding series on said flange, the crosssectional areas of the studs increasing with the radial distance thereoffrom the axis of said hub. and rubber means between said flange and saidweb having holes for receiving said studs, the

flange with consequent tensioning of portions of said rubber means inresponse to relative movement between said hub and rim.

13. A car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extending radiallytherefrom, a rim having a web, rubber means between said web and saidflange, and means comprising studs on said flange and web forconcurrently placing portions of said rubber means under compression andother portions under tension in movement of said hub with respect tosaid rim in any of a plurality of directions. v

14. A car wheel comprising a hub having a flange extending radiallytherefrom, a rim having a web, rubber means between said web and saidflange, and means comprising studs on said flange and web forconcurrently placing portions of said rubber means under compression andother portions under tension upon rotation of said rim with respect tosaid hub in any of a plurality of directions. RUSSELL J. WITI'MER.

